Why does the Church call the Mass a "mystery"? Here's what the word "mystery" (and "sacrament") really means, and why the Mass is more than meets the eye.
What Is the Catholic Mass? The "Mysteries" and What the Word Really Means
Before walking through the Mass part by part, Dr. Brant Pitre begins with a word the Mass uses for itself: "mystery." In this opening session of The Mass Explained, he points out that the liturgy calls itself a mystery in three places — the Penitential Act ("prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries"), the Offertory ("by the mystery of this water and wine"), and right after the Consecration ("the mystery of faith"). He then shows, with the Catechism, that the Greek mysterion — translated into Latin as both mysterium and sacramentum — does not mean a puzzle to be solved but a visible sign that makes an invisible, divine reality present. This is why the early Church called teaching on the Mass "mystagogy": leading people "from the visible to the invisible, from the sign to the thing signified" (CCC 774, 1075). He lays out the method that will guide the whole series — Scripture, Tradition, and Mystery — showing where each part of the Mass comes from in the Bible, how it developed in the Roman liturgy, and what hidden reality it signifies.
Key passages & sources examined: the "sacred mysteries" (Penitential Act), "the mystery of this water and wine" (Offertory), and "the mystery of faith" (Consecration) in the Order of Mass; mysterion translated as mysterium and sacramentum, and the meaning of "mystagogy" (CCC 774, 1075).
Why is the Mass called a "mystery"? From the Greek mysterion (Latin sacramentum): a visible sign that makes an invisible divine reality present. The Mass calls itself a "mystery" in the Penitential Act, the Offertory, and the Consecration.
Does "mystery" mean we can't understand it? No — it means a revealed reality too rich to exhaust. "Mystagogy" is the Church's word for being led from the visible sign to the invisible reality (CCC 1075).
What's the connection between "mystery" and "sacrament"? They name the same reality — the Latin sacramentum translates the Greek mysterion.
Want every Sunday and feast explained like this?
Get Dr. Brant Pitre’s complete Mass Readings Explained — a new study for every Sunday and holy day.
I told him I do not know what I would do without all the knowledge I have gained from this program. Period. Dr. Grant Pitre is phenomenal and an excellent teacher.
This video series helped me to more deeply enter into Mass. Understanding the biblical and historical context brings me attention back to the altar, even when the kiddos are at their most distracting!
This supported by doctrine study illuminates a personal struggle and provides the necessary coping mechanisms to overcome adversity. Doctor Brant has an exquisite methodology of presenting the material in an informative manner that keeps you engaged in the discussion.
Love this subscription. Dr Pitre’s explanations are so understandable and helpful. Michael in customer service is always available and quickly answers any questions I might have.
I told him I do not know what I would do without all the knowledge I have gained from this program. Period. Dr. Grant Pitre is phenomenal and an excellent teacher.
This video series helped me to more deeply enter into Mass. Understanding the biblical and historical context brings me attention back to the altar, even when the kiddos are at their most distracting!
This supported by doctrine study illuminates a personal struggle and provides the necessary coping mechanisms to overcome adversity. Doctor Brant has an exquisite methodology of presenting the material in an informative manner that keeps you engaged in the discussion.
Love this subscription. Dr Pitre’s explanations are so understandable and helpful. Michael in customer service is always available and quickly answers any questions I might have.
